Piezoelectric Transducer Lens Cleaning and Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic optical sensors, such as camera lenses in remote locations, are prone to image degradation due to environmental contaminants like moisture and dirt, which current cleaning methods like water sprayers or air jets are not practical or cost-effective for.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric transducer system that vibrates the lens element at specific frequencies for cleaning and heating modes, controlled by a controller circuitry that estimates the lens temperature to prevent overheating and extend the transducer's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transducer vibrates the lens element continuously to remove contaminants, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the transducer temperature increases causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between cleaning cycles (vibration mode) and heating cycles (heating mode) to periodically remove contaminants while allowing the transducer to cool down during heating cycles, preventing continuous operation from causing excessive temperature buildup
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors transducer temperature and adjusts operating parameters dynamically - reducing vibration amplitude or duty cycle when temperature thresholds are approached, and switching between different operational modes (cleaning vs heating) based on real-time temperature conditions
2Reliability
If water sprayers or air jets are used to clean the lens, then contaminant removal is effective, but the system becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer serves dual functions: it acts as both the actuator for optical actuation and the cleaning mechanism through controlled vibration, eliminating the need for separate water sprayers or air jet systems
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer cleans the lens element itself through its inherent vibration capability, requiring no external cleaning resources such as water, air, or mechanical wipers, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture
3Productivity
If the transducer operates at high power to remove stubborn contaminants, then cleaning capability is improved, but the transducer lifespan decreases due to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses intermittent high-power cleaning cycles followed by lower-power heating cycles, allowing the transducer to operate at high power when needed for stubborn contaminants while providing recovery periods that prevent cumulative thermal damage
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors transducer temperature and adjusts power levels in real-time, reducing power when temperature thresholds are approached to prevent thermal damage, while still maintaining effective cleaning capability during safe operating conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively removes contaminants while maintaining the transducer within safe operating temperatures, ensuring reliable image quality without the need for costly or impractical cleaning methods.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer vibrates a lens element at a first frequency and a different second frequency
Implementation Method 2
The controller circuitry activates the transducer to vibrate the lens element at the second frequency in response to the controller circuitry selecting the heating mode
Data Source
AI summary
In described examples, a transducer vibrates a lens element at a first frequency and a different second frequency. Controller circuitry selects one of a cleaning mode and a heating mode in response to an estimated temperature of the lens element. The controller circuitry activates the transducer to vibrate the lens element at the first frequency in response to the controller circuitry selecting the cleaning mode. The controller circuitry activates the transducer to vibrate the lens element at the second frequency in response to the controller circuitry selecting the heating mode.